La nascita e i primi sviluppi degli studi di fisica

On the foundation of the University in Milan, Aldo Pontremoli was appointed to carry out research in the field of physics. After his tragic death, these studies were continued under the strong guidance of Giovanni Polvani at the Palazzo delle Scienze in via Saldini. An initial nucleus of physicists from Pisa was gradually increased by young graduates from Milan. After the restrictions of the war period, the post-war era represents a period of considerable expansion of their research activities, attracting the attention of the international scientific community. CISE and the Gaifum were formed from the close interaction with public and private institutions. With the arrival in Milan of Piero Caldirola, and then of Beppo Occhialini, the Physics Institute was transformed into a structure with several professorships, and became one of the centres of the INFN. The main activities of the period of "reconstruction" include nuclear, cosmic and theoretical physics.